Ralston Turner, a former LSU guard/forward, will transfer to NC State.

Turner, a top-75 recruit in the Class of '10, averaged 10.5 points at LSU, starting 59 games in two seasons. Turner (6-6, 205) must sit out the 2012-13 season and then will have two years of eligibility remaining.

"I felt like I knew coach (Mark) Gottfried and I was comfortable with him," Turner told The News & Observer. "I saw where I could fit in. I want to come in and help the team any way that I can, that's what me and coach talked about."

His most likely contribution could be as a long-distance shooter. He made 99 3-pointers in two years at LSU, improving his accuracy to 37.2 percent last season. He could step directly into the role currently occupied by senior-to-be Scott Wood, who shot 40.9 percent from 3-point range last season and averaged 12.4 points.

Turner said he decided to leave LSU after coach Trent Johnson left for the TCU job. New coach Johnny Jones tried to talk him into staying, but his mind was made up.

"It wasn't the coaching change that ran me off," Turner said. "I just had a change of heart about LSU."